BUSHNELL, Fla. - More than a dozen headstones engraved with the Star of David were overturned and uprooted in a Sumter County cemetery, prompting authorities to investigate the case as a hate crime.
The Sumter County Sheriff's Office said it was informed Monday about the vandalism at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Deputies said 14 headstones in two different sections of the cemetery were disturbed on Saturday and Sunday.
According to police reports, no gravestones representing other religions in were vandalized.
"(The Anti-Defamation League) strongly condemns this act of anti-Semitic vandalism," said Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director. "The targeting and desecration of Jewish gravestones is despicable, unacceptable and the perpetrators of this apparent hate crime should face the full extent of criminal penalties."
Hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states, including Florida.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
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